Theodore hofstattee



(No Model.)

v T... HOFSTATTER, J1.`

SDPA 0R LOUNGE.

IPalfened June 13 N. PETERS. Fmmumegmp'nar. wnshmgxmn D4 Cv THEODORE HOFS'IATTER,

einen.

JR., 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

SOFA OR LOUNGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,642, dated June 13, 1882.

Application filed November 25, 1881. (No model.)

To all 'zt-hom 'Lt may concern:

Be itknown that I, THnoDoRE Honsrnr'rnn, Jr., a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Sofas or Lounges; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters ofreference marked thereon, making a part of this specilication.

Myinvention relates to the devices employed for supporting and adjusting the inclination of the heads or ends of sofas and lounges which are pivoted to drop from a Vertical to a horizontal position, and more especially to theimprovementfor which Letters Patent were gran ted to me September 20, 1881, No.247,350.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section ot' one end of a lounge fitted with myinvention; Fig. 2, a vertical transverse section in line fr of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, an enlarged section taken centrally through one of the latch-plates of the head and its pivotal socket and rack-plate, the pivot-pin and thelatch being drawn in elevation; and Fig. 4, an elevation ofthe socket and rackplate detached.

a a are the side rails, and b b the end rails, of the main frame of a lounge.

A is the adjustable head, and c dits side and cross bars. The head is made to correspond in width with the width of the main frame, and is pivoted thereto.

B, Fig. 3, is a metallic plate, carrying' one of the pivot-pins of the head, said plate being firmly secured to the inner side of the side bar, c, of the head, so as to project downward therefrom inside of the side rails, a., of the main frame, in close proximity thereto.

f is a latch-bar, hung to a central pivot-pin passing through lateral lugs projecting from the plate, and which form an extended recess on the face ofthe plate, in which the latch-bar swings in and out. The lower end of the latchbar en ga ges a segmental rack, g, projecting laterally from the lower edge ot' a plate, R, se-

cured to the inner side ofthe rail of the main.

frame. This plate R, Figs. l, 3, and 4, is eX tended so as to embrace the center of the arc formed by the segmental rack g, (see Fig. 4,)

and is formed with a cylindrical boss on its under side, which, projecting from said center, as shown in Fig. 3, is perforated to receive the pivot-pin c of the plate B, and constitute a bearin g therefor.

The latch-bar f extends upward above the pivot-plate B, as set forth in my patent of September 20, 1881, nearly to the top of the side bar, c, ofthe head, and is actuated by means of a cam, l, Fig. 2, upon a rod or shaft, 71., which is rotated by a handle or knob, l, on its outer end. This cana operates to force inward the upper end ofthe latch, and byswinging it upon its pivot to carry out its lower end and disengage it from the rack g. It is forced back to its original position, when relieved from the pressure ot' the cam, by means of a spring, k, Fig. 3, interposed between the upper end of thelatch and the side bar, c.

To adjust the head A of the lounge the knob l is turned until the cam has operated to disen gage the latches on either side of the head from the rack, and as in the rotation of the knob the latches are immediately released, they are ready, under the action of the springs, to promptly re-engage the racks, and so fasten the head at any desired point.

The rack and pivot-plate R, constructed, as described, in one piece with the pivotal socket, in which the head of the lounge swings, not only serves to strengthen the main frame when secured thereto, but affords the strongest possible support to the head of the lounge when it is thrown back from its perpendicular position, for the great strain due to the leverage of the head upon the pivot-pin e, having the rack as its fulcrum, and which ordinarily tends to force and loosen the pivot-joint and to break the attachment of the head to the lounge, is herein taken up and firmly resisted by the unbroken extension of the plate connecting the pivot to the rack. The metallic socket provided in the plate also serves to make a closetting bearing for the pivot-pin c, which cannot wear or work loose, and will work uniformly with far greater smoothness and ease than has been found practicable in the pivotjoints as heretofore made.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the quadrantal ratchet-plate R, having the central pivot-socket and neck, with the latch-plate B, having pivot 0 and fulcrumed latch j', and the cam-shaft and 5 cams i, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In combination with the adjustable head of a lounge or sofa, duplicate quadrautal ratchet-plates R R, latch-plates and latches B f B f,

1o and cams i i, substantially as set forth.

3. As a new manufacture, the quadrantal plate R and latch-plate and attached latch B f, formed to co-operate as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony Whereofl have signed my name r 5 to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEODORE HOFSTATTER, JR.

Witnesses:

J. F. AGKER, J r., DANIEL R. GARDEN. 

